Should the Church apologise for Mountain Meadows Massacre?

[_jon]

If it is a 'fact' that the organisation of the Mountain Meadows Massacre took place through the organisational structure of the Mormon Church then, I believe, the Church has a moral obligation to apologise for the atrocity.

Was it a group of friends and acquaintances ganging together on the spur of the moment or was it a mobilisation of a structured plan organised through and by, Church leaders?

Were those Church leaders appointed by a Prophet of God under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost?

If so, why would God allow/fail to prevent his divinely appointed brethren from carrying out a premeditated act against unarmed men, women and children?

If the Church bears no responsibility for this atrocity then 'it' (the highest Church leaders at the time) would have been moved upon by the power of God to act swiftly, decisively and morally correctly against the purpetrators. Is that what happened?

[_cafe crema]

Does everyone need to apologize for every wrong their national/ethnic/religious ancestors did?

I, personally, won't rest until I hear President Obama apologise for African slavery.

:)

Ya that pretty well encapsulates the problem I see with all this apology stuff. While I do find the apology thing silly and pointless, since just about everyone is owed an apology from someone and like Obama's case he owes himself an apology, I find this business of giving fake apologies offensive. It's one thing to give an unnecessary apology it is an entirely different thing to pretend to apologize for public image purposes. It really is nothing more than talking out of both sides of your mouth, being 2 faced, talking with forked tongue and so on.

I have to say though on the apologies presented on this thread Australia and Japan have a distinct advantage over the LDS and Catholic churches when it comes to apologies. They have the ability to prevent any repercussions from their apologies churches can't make laws like governments can.

[_RayAgostini]

In reference to my Obama "witticism", at least America elected a Black president, and in my biased view, that speaks a lot for America. The 1960s "unthinkable" became a reality.

Searching, searching, searching...for a Black Mormon apostle.

No results found.....

It's not a matter of "political correctness" either. 33 years have passed, and no one with a "flat nose and black skin" is anywhere near the Mormon hierarchy. Stereotypes die hard. Some (not all) whites still look upon Blacks as "inferior", and that is only because no Mormon Church president has ever had the intestinal fortitude to once and for all bury this egregious myth of "inferiority".

[_cafe crema]

In reference to my Obama "witticism", at least America elected a Black president, and in my biased view, that speaks a lot for America. The 1960s "unthinkable" became a reality.

Searching, searching, searching...for a Black Mormon apostle.

No results found.....

It's not a matter of "political correctness" either. 33 years have passed, and no one with a "flat nose and black skin" is anywhere near the Mormon hierarchy. Stereotypes die hard. Some (not all) whites still look upon Blacks as "inferior", and that is only because no Mormon Church president has ever had the intestinal fortitude to once and for all bury this egregious myth of "inferiority".

Yes it seems over all the American people have come further faster.
As to 1960's unthinkable, I thought it was unthinkable until it happened. Whether President Obama is right or wrong it still brings a big grin to my face to think of the Obamas as the First Family, yes it speaks a lot for America, and I like it, it leaves me cheerful, upbeat, hopeful.

[_Pahoran]

If it is a 'fact' that the organisation of the Mountain Meadows Massacre took place through the organisational structure of the Mormon Church then, I believe, the Church has a moral obligation to apologise for the atrocity.

Was it a group of friends and acquaintances ganging together on the spur of the moment or was it a mobilisation of a structured plan organised through and by, Church leaders?

You know, the great advantage you enjoy through never actually reading anything is that you can lean back in your chair, and with no facts to constrain you, manufacture false dilemmas to your heart's content.

The answer, in case you are wondering, is neither of the above. It was a group of local civic/military/church leaders lurching from bungle to blunder to a crisis largely of their own making, at which point they panicked.

Were those Church leaders appointed by a Prophet of God under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost?

If so, why would God allow/fail to prevent his divinely appointed brethren from carrying out a premeditated act against unarmed men, women and children?

As any seminary student could tell you, it's called "agency." I'll allow half points for "free agency."

If the Church bears no responsibility for this atrocity then 'it' (the highest Church leaders at the time) would have been moved upon by the power of God to act swiftly, decisively and morally correctly against the purpetrators. Is that what happened?

I suggest you look up "non sequitur."

Regards,
Pahoran

[_jon]

It was a group of local civic/military/church leaders lurching from bungle to blunder to a crisis largely of their own making, at which point they panicked.

Regards,
Pahoran

And you can show that, with evidence, right?

[_Pahoran]

It was a group of local civic/military/church leaders lurching from bungle to blunder to a crisis largely of their own making, at which point they panicked.

Regards,
Pahoran

And you can show that, with evidence, right?

Good question; what evidence do you have that there was a "structured plan" coolly hatched in an office in SLC?

Regards,
Pahoran

[_jon]

Good question; what evidence do you have that there was a "structured plan" coolly hatched in an office in Salt Lake City?

Regards,
Pahoran

Absolutely not, I was (as you pointed out) easing myself back in my chair, putting my feet up and hypothesising.

You, on the other hand, spoke with certainty and authority.

Perhaps you'll be good enough to answer my question (like I have yours) with an answer not another question?
<starting to hold my breath in 3...2...1....>

[_why me]

I am still waiting for the federal govenment to apologize to the LDS church for the pain and suffering that was caused to the early saints in the LDS church. Between murders and property destruction, displacement, an apology should be offered. The federal govenment could have done something to protect the freedom that the early LDS should have enjoyed in a land that claimed itself free.

[_Buffalo]

I am still waiting for the federal govenment to apologize to the LDS church for the pain and suffering that was caused to the early saints in the LDS church. Between murders and property destruction, displacement, an apology should be offered. The federal govenment could have done something to protect the freedom that the early LDS should have enjoyed in a land that claimed itself free.

Like I said, the Saints were already compensated for that many times over via their own thefts and murders.